06-27-17 CFB President Don Shawcroft Testifies Before the U.S. Trade Representative

Colorado Farm Bureau President Testifies Before the U.S. Trade Representative

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2017 –– Don Shawcroft, president of Colorado Farm Bureau, urged the office of the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize agriculture when renegotiating North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in testimony during a hearing in Washington.

“NAFTA has been overwhelmingly beneficial for the vast majority of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. for decades,” said Shawcroft in testimony on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “A modernized NAFTA should at best eliminate, at worst reduce, barriers to trade that keep our farmers and ranchers from having a level playing field with our neighbors.”

U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico have quadrupled, from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.1 billion in 2016. NAFTA renegotiations present a prime opportunity to address challenges that Colorado (and other) fruit and vegetable farmers have faced with Mexico, as well as a chance for dairy, row crop and wheat farmers to settle issues with Canada.

“Although the benefits from NAFTA are clear and many, there are reasons to reform and update the agreement,” continued Shawcroft.

Eliminated or reduced Canadian tariff barriers to dairy, poultry eggs and wine, as well as the recently implemented barriers to ultra-filtered milk;

Addressing the misuse of geographical indicators; and

Developing a consistent, science-based approach to biotechnology.

“A modernized NAFTA will not only help expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers in the near term,” said Shawcroft. “It would also set a foundation for future trade agreements by establishing market-driven and science-based terms of trade and dispute resolution that will directly benefit the U.S. food and agriculture industry.”